US Mountain Ranger Association

Promoting fellowship & brotherhood among US Army Rangers

Fallen Rangers

Thompson Terrell III

Ranger Thompson Allen Terrell III was born in Murphy, North Carolina in 1940. He graduated from North Georgia College with The Class of 1962 commissioning as a second Lieutenant of Infantry. After IOBC and Jump School, his initial service was as a Platoon Leader with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

He was Honor Graduate of Ranger Class 02-71.

He served three tours in Vietnam earning four Bronze Stars - 2 with V device, four Meritorious Service Medals, The Air Medal, The Combat Infantryman Badge and The Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with palm. He served with Golf Company Rangers of the 23rd Infantry Division, 5th Special Forces Group, 12th Special Forces Group, 172nd Brigade and was Commander of the 32nd Battalion of the 7th Infantry Division.

Ranger Tom Terrell was Commander of the 2nd Ranger Company here at Camp Merrill back in the early 1970's and was later Officer in Charge of The Mountaineering Committee that oversaw all the Military Mountaineering Training taught in Ranger School. On a later tour in the early 1980's LTC Terrell was selected as the Mountain Ranger Camp Commander.

He was awarded Parachute wings from the Republic of Vietnam, Canada and Germany.

I knew Tom Terrell well, and he was one of the sharpest officers I have ever known. Always immaculate in appearance, he was much more than a spit and polish soldier. He was a highly professional leader who was greatly respected by all who knew him.

Ranger Thompson A. Terrell III, age 71, of Blue Ridge, Georgia passed away on Tuesday, September 6, 2011. It is altogether fitting that we honor Ranger Tom Terrell at the Fallen Ranger Memorial. Rangers Lead The Way!